Tooth-brush.



E. SCHREOK.

TOOTH BRUSH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, 1013.

1 m w Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

wuwtoz wiltucoow XWM EDWARD SCHRECK, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

TOOTH-BRUSH.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pate ted Se t, 15 i914 l Application filed May 26, 1913. Serial No. 763,845.

T all, whomgit. may concern .Be it known that I, -EDWARD SoHREo-K,

a citizen of the United States, residing at of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tooth brushes and contemplates particularly toprovide a tooth brush that is sanitary in all respects. Experience has demonstrated that considerable dirt &c., inevitably collects between the bristlesof the common tooth brush as is now in use. Furthermore, where the tooth brush is not givena thorough cleaning each time after it has been used, the bristles and their pockets form a ready means for the perpetuation of diesease.

My invention, therefore, aims to provide a brush wherein the bristle portions are separable laterally to facilitate a ready and thorough cleaning whenever desired. In carrying out this end, I desirably make the bristle portions of the brush separable outwardly in the same plane with the handle itself. A simple means for accomplishing this resides in pivotally attaching a plurality of bristle carrying elements to the handle portion proper.

My invention also contemplates the provision of means for normally holding these bristle carrying elements in their closed or looking relation with respect to each other.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view looking .toward the upper side of my tooth brush, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of my brush,

showing one of the bristle carrying members removed and also showing one of these bristle carrying members in its unlocked and extended position to facilitate cleaning, and, Fig. 4: is a view in perspective of the bristle carrying member shown removed in Fig. 3.

In carrying out my invention I have pro: vided a handle portion 1, which may be of any desired shape and have shown the same as slightly reduced in width by cutting away portions of its body, as more clearly indicated at 2. Forward of the cut-away portions 2,'the handle portion is provided with a forwardly extending prong 3, carrying the desired number of bristles 4. The body portion of the brush proper is shown as being cut-away each side of the prong 3, whereby I may be permitted to pivotally mount sections 5 and 6, also carrying the desired number of bristles. One end of each of the pivoted sections 5 and 6 is provided with an extended shoulder 7, through which is centrally formed an aperture 8. It will be noted that .each of the shoulders 7 is formed with a rounded edge and that the cut-out space above each of the shoulders also has a. curved front wall 9. The forward end of the handle portion is similarly constructed to enable the pivotal attachment of these sections 5 and 6 by the simple insertion of pintles 10. From the description thus far given, it will be apparent that the sections 5 and 6 may be swung outwardly whenever desired and in this manner ready access may be had to the base portion of the bristles to facilitate their thorough cleaning. Like wise, after the side sections 5 and 6 have been swung outwardly, the bristles carried by the central prong 3 are also exposed for cleaning.

In order that the pivoted sections 5 and 6 may be firmly held in their closed position or in a position abutting the central prong 3, I have slightly tapered the outside walls of the pivoted portions 5 and 6. This taper is shown somewhat exaggerated at 11. Embracing that portion of the handle having the cut-out portions 2, is an embracing ring 12, which effectuallyserves the purpose of positively locking the pivoted sections 5 and 6 in their closed position. It will also be noted that the portions 13 and 14 on the handle portion 1 and adjacent the cut-out portions 2, are of a size slightly greater in Width than the opening formed in the embracing ring 12,'which thereby prevents the accidental removal of this ring. When it is desired to lock the portions 5 and 6 in position, the ring member 12 is forced outwardly into wedging engagement with the tapered portions 11. These inclinations are slight enough to insure the maintenance of the correct position of the ring member 12 due to friction alone. If it is desired to clean the bristles of the brush by swinging the pivoted portions outwardly, the ring member 12 is removed from this position and is prevented from falling off the handle portion 1 by the enlargements '13 and 14-. Further, I have so constructed the various portions comprising my brush, that the members 5 and 6 are prevented from changing their position out of true alinement when abutting the central prong 3. In other words, the structure provided is to prevent upward movement of the sections 5 and 6 when in their closed position. This I accomplish by forming the outer wall of the central prong 3 of a slightly convex form and providing the inner walls 16 of each of the pivoted members 5 and 6 with a complemental concaved contour. In this manner, the strain upon the pintles 10 and the shoulders 7, is entirely removed when the members 5 and 6 ar in their closed position and during the normal use of the brush.

What I claim is:

A sanitary tooth brush comprising a handle portion, an integral bristle carrying prong extending forwardly from a central point of the front end of said handle por tion, a projecting apertured shoulder on the front end of said handle portion to each side of said prong, supplemental bristle carrying members, a projecting apertured shoulder on one end of each of said supplemental members adapted to be pivotally attached to said first named shoulders whereby said members are swingable outwardly in the plane of the handle, and means adapted to lock said pivoted members in abutting relation with said prong.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD SGHRECK. Witnesses:

WALTER E. L. Boon, A. L. PHELPS. 

